Compared to many cities, Savannah is surprisingly pet-friendly.  There are several businesses that allow — even encourage — you to bring your four-legged friends onsite. 

Ruel Joyner, owner of 24e said: “I believe one day we’ll look back and won’t believe that we didn’t let dogs in places.”

More and more upscale stores and boutique hotels are allowing pets to accompany their owners. 

Tilly Blanken, owner of Clipper Trading Company, is from the Netherlands and said she has found Savannah to be very pet-friendly, but in her hometown, “dogs go with you everywhere. … in the grocery store, in the restaurants. … everywhere.  They just stay with you.” 

But there are legal regulations in Savannah, especially at eating establishments. 

If you’re looking for a day out with your pet, here are a few things to keep in mind before you go:

• If you’re not sure about a store’s policy, ask before taking your pet inside.  If your pet is leashed and well-behaved, chances are the owner will let your pet accompany you unless regulations prevent it.

• Keep an eye on your pet once inside.  Don’t let it wander, getting into mischief.  In the unlikely event that it does begin to show signs of being uncomfortable or troublesome, take your pet outside.  Don’t force the issue.

• Businesses are much more likely to become — and stay — pet-friendly if the owners have had good experiences with pet owners.

With those tips in mind, here are some local places that already allow pets, in some capacity. 

24e: Hip furniture and design store on Broughton Street.  Their salesperson said they have never turned away a pet.  Owner Ruel Joyner says they have invited pets inside since “before it was cool.  They make for a much more relaxed atmosphere.  Honestly, I’d rather have people bring a pet than a cell phone.”  Dogs are welcome and encouraged.

La Paperie: Fine paper and stationery shop on Whitaker Street in the Downtown Design District.  Dogs are welcome.

Urban Cargo: Savannah wares, postcards, gifts and small items on Bull Street.  Also the nighttime home of Frankie, the Wright Square resident kitty; supporter of the ASPCA and the home of adopted dog, Maggie.  Well-behaved pets welcome (as long as Frankie approves).

Satchel: Bags, purses and other accessories, mostly fine leather; Tom Ford Sunglasses; and bags by Cate Adair (the costume designer for “Desperate Housewives”). 

Satchel on Broughton Street is very pet-friendly, and you can visit the Chesapeake-chocolate lab mix named BG. 

“He’s a good greeter.  He hears the doorbell and runs to the front to say ‘hi.’  And he gets upset when people leave because he feels like he just made a new friend,” said owner Elizabeth Seeger.  She also has dog treats and water bowls for your pet.  Pets welcome.

Hollywood’s: Perhaps among Savannah’s best-kept secrets.  Owner Bobby Woods’ credentials include Versace’s runway shows, but his salon is relaxed and soothing.  No frantic models or fashion designers scurrying around here.  Enjoy a personalized cut, color and styling with one of the more delightful conversationalists in town.  State regulations prevent pets from entering the salon on Bull Street; however, they are welcome to wait for and watch from the vestibule.

The Tea Room: No pets are allowed  inside the restaurant on east Broughton Street, but it is still a very animal-friendly place.  Elizabeth Ruby, one of the owners, is a former member of the board of the Humane Society and has adopted four stray dogs — and she has a tea named after each of them. 

“We tend to rescue from our own city,” she said.  “We also help people place pets that they’ve found.  I’ll save anything that finds me.”

J. Christopher’s: Delicious brunch spot on Liberty Street.  Pets are welcome in the outdoor seating area.

Mellow Mushroom: Baked-to-order pizza and excellent beer selection; a favorite spot for college students as well as families.   Pets are welcome in the outdoor seating area on Liberty Street.

Café Ambrosia: Locally owned shop at the corner of Broughton and Abercorn streets offers coffees, teas, baked goods and fresh lunches.  Pets are welcome in the outdoor seating area.  Dog treats and water available.

Smooth: A favorite stop for smoothies and shakes on Bull Street with plenty of flavors; and wi-fi and computers, too.  Regulations require pets to remain in the outdoor seating area.  Doggie water provided.

Some local businesses have taken their love for animals a step farther, with resident pets in the stores.

Frankie

Frankie, a calico cat, is already a bit of a legend in savannah.  Her chosen turf is Wright Square on Bull Street.  She used to be a formidable enemy of the birds and squirrels there until she let down her guard and sprinted across the street after her prey.  Animal instincts overrode her usual caution, and she was struck by a car.  Business owners on the square jumped to her rescue.  The woman who runs the lemonade cart scooped the wounded Frankie up and took her to the vet.  Bobby Woods, owner and proprietor of Hollywood’s hair salon, didn’t have anyone in his chairs, so he took over making the lemon slushies.  (He assumed that couldn’t be too hard, but that was before a group of Girl Scouts showed up, each wanting something different. “It was wild,” he remembered.)

Frankie has recovered nicely, but her range is now limited.  She divides her time between hanging around the square, Hollywood’s front stoop, Smooth’s entrance and the window displays at Urban Cargo.

Earl (Grey)

The Cardinal Rep (formerly the Savannah Actor’s Theatre) on Louisville Road offers edgy performances in its black-box space.  The first full year has been very successful, but it wouldn’t feel like home without the little grey escape artist who lives there.

Earl joined the cast in the early days and has enjoyed his stardom ever since.   Ryan McCurdy, executive artistic director, said: “Earl Grey, we theorize, was born May 21, 2006.  Some two weeks later, he was found mewling and being generally feral behind the Savannah Tea Room on Broughton.  Our waiter chose to ask us between the soup and salad courses if we wished to possess a cat, which we immediately agreed to.” 

These days, Earl spends his days watching rehearsals, then sleeping in the office by night.  “Also,” Ryan said, “when he is not moderating meetings as the president of our board of governors, he generally enjoys eating treats out of people’s hands, making unexpected cameos in dramatic productions and greeting patrons at intermission.”

Cooper

This large, sweet Saint Bernard spends some of his days among Asian objet d’art, greeting customers at Clipper Trading Company.  Owner Tilly Blanken said: “Anytime my husband travels, Cooper gets to come to the store.  He loves to greet people and is excellent with children.”  Cooper was adopted from a rescue facility in Milledgeville and is about 4 years old.  “We say we won the lottery with Cooper.”

Tilly said the store is dog-friendly.  “Sometimes we see someone waiting outside with their dog, and we make a point to go out and get them and bring them in.”  Pets are welcome.

Chloe

Heather Burge, the owner of BleuBelle Boutique, Bleubelle Bridal and BleuBelle Soiree, says her assistant general manager is her 7-year old Yorkie-poo (half-Yorkshire terrier, half-poodle).  “Chloe is always at one of the stores with me, and she seems to know who is dog-friendly.  She senses it, and she’ll plop in their laps.”  Dogs are encouraged at all three of her locations, which carry everything from cocktail dresses to denim, items from local jewelry designers and, of course, bridal gowns.  Pets are welcome at all locations.

Joey, Dash and Anook

Perhaps the most unusual resident pets are the pair of bunnies that live at Kathi Rich boutique on Abercorn at Victory. 

“One of my clients when I first opened gave me a bunny,” said owner Kathi Rich.  “And he would hide when it was time to go home, so I let him stay.  It’s his sanctuary.  Then about a year ago, I thought he might be lonely, so I got him a girlfriend, Dash.” 

Joey hops over to everyone, and if they ignore him, he nudges them with his  nose until he gets a pat out of them. 

The 4,000-square-foot store with a 15-foot waterfall on one wall not only features ladies’ and men’s accessories, shoes, Kathi’s jewelry and a sale room upstairs, but it also has added to the family.  Not too long ago, Kathi adopted Anook, a 5-year old German shepherd/husky mix from the Humane Society. 

“Anook gets jealous when everyone fawns over the bunnies,” she said.  “Some people walk in asking about the animals before they say hi to me.  Clients bring treats and Christmas presents for them all the time.”  Pets are welcome and encouraged.